The inside of the cave made Gu Mengmeng think of the Waterfall Cave from the classic Chinese novel “Journey to the West”. Apart from the fact there was no waterfall at the entrance, any monkey standing here with a stick could claim himself to be the “Great Sage who was equal to the Heavens”.
She really couldn’t tell that this was the cave belonging to the leader of the stray beasts. She thought stray beasts lived in places with the same bold air as the Lion Camel Ridge from “Journey to the West”.
After a few steps into the cave, they could see a bed made from thick layers of skinned furs. An extremely emaciated female laid upon it.
Gu Mengmeng gave Lea a look and he went up to check the female’s condition. Strangely, she had no external injuries or internal ills, but she still looked like she was about to die.
Lea looked at Peter. “How long has she been like this?”
Peter frowned. “Since the monsoon season ended. She has been refusing to eat and is starving to death.”
Gu Mengmeng instinctively glanced at Elvis. He had no reaction and bore a mild expression, as if this female was just a stranger.
Gu Mengmeng sighed. “Go out, all of you. Let me talk to her.”
Elvis surveyed the surroundings to ensure that there was only this female here. Without any reason to worry, he turned and left. Peter was concerned but had no choice but to follow the others out.
After everyone had left, Gu Mengmeng sat down beside the female. “I am Gu Mengmeng and is Elvis’ partner.”
The female’s eyes brightened at her words. Her first reaction was to glance about the entrance of the cave, but Elvis had already left.
Disappointment flashed across her face. She lowered her head without a word.
“Shall I call Elvis in and have him speak to you?” Gu Mengmeng asked.
The female hesitated before shaking her head. “I don’t have the right to face him… as long as he is alive, that is enough…”
Mothers all over the world were the same. Who would not love her own child?
Seeing that this female was willing to talk about Elvis, Gu Mengmeng continued her line of inquiry “Elvis never wanted to tell me about his childhood, but I have always been rather curious. If you are willing… why don’t you tell me about it?”
The female’s gaze dimmed and she lowered her eyes. Even her fingertips were quivering.
“His childhood was a disaster… you should never have brought him back here. He only managed to escape after much efforts…”
Recalling the reunion between Elvis and his father, Gu Mengmeng could more or less understand what that disaster was.
“But we heard that you are very ill. We cannot sit back and let you die. After all, you are Elvis’ mother,” Gu Mengmeng said.
The female slowly closed her eyes, and a tear dropped from the corner of her lids onto the skinned fur. “Elvis… probably hopes he never had a mother like me. Leave, there is no need to worry about me. All this is the price I have to pay.”
Gu Mengmeng didn’t understand her meaning. She just felt that single tear really looked very tragic.
“Perhaps, you could tell me your difficulties. I might be able to help you.”
The female shook her head. “He will never agree. No one can save me… knowing that Elvis is safe and sound before my death, I am already very contented. It can be said that… I can die without regrets.”
“You are seeking death by going on a hunger strike?” Gu Mengmeng asked.
